India’s bowling sensation Jasprit Bumrah is one of the biggest bowling superstars around the world. Over the years, he has created a space for himself in Indian cricket in such a way that no other player can replace him. He is likely to return to the Indian team for the ODI series against Australia.
Jasprit has been out of action for a while owing to a back injury he picked up following the England tour. His absence was deeply felt in the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup last year, where the Indian cricket team failed to reach the final of both tournaments. Though, India tried several bowlers including the likes of Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi, however, no one could match the level of Bumrah in the squad.
Meanwhile, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar identifies one pacer from the current Indian set-up, who has shown Bumrah-like traits initially in his career. Yes, you read that right. Gavaskar has backed Arshdeep Singh to make the same transition in the Indian cricket team. Speaking during the 2nd ODI between India and New Zealand, Gavaskar said:
“He has got a very good bouncer and bowls a great yorker as well. He certainly is a prospect, big prospect… even for red-ball cricket because if he can get the white-ball to swing so much, imagine what he will do with the red ball. And of course, he also brings a left-handed dimension to any attack. He’s got pace, can get the ball to move so. Just like Jasprit Bumrah started off with the white-ball and went on to become such an effective, top-class Test match bowler, Arshdeep Singh is someone to keep an eye on,”
Talking about Arshdeep Singh, the young bowler has a long way to go before he cements his place in all the formats for the Indian cricket team. So far, he has played 25 T20Is and three ODIs picking up 39 wickets and while he has shown real promise in T20s, it’s the 50-over where Arshdeep has gone wicketless and is yet to be tested.